Although rumours of a new Speed Triple have been doing the rounds for a little while, we weren’t really sure what to expect. Were the rumours of a new model even true? Triumph were keeping their cards really close to their chest with this one, but today it’s been revealed that we can, indeed, look forward to a brand-new model. Enter the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS. And when they say brand-new, they really mean brand new. Every single part, from the engine and the electronics, to the chassis and the bodywork has been redesigned making this the most powerful, the most agile and the smartest Speed Triple ever.
If you wanted straight-line speed and bags of power, the old Speed Triple probably wouldn’t have been the ‘Supernaked’ that you went for. In the company of bikes like Aprilia’s Tuono, Yamaha’s MT-10, KTM’s Super Duke and Ducati’s Streetfighter, the ‘Trip felt as though it had been built for comfort, rather than speed. It sounds like that isn’t going to be the case with the new one, though. The all-new 1,160cc (rather than 1,050cc) triple engine isn’t just a bit more powerful than the last one. With 177bhp (@ 10,750rpm), it’s 30bhp more powerful. I genuinely can’t remember the last time a new model gained that much power over its predecessor. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s also another 8Nm of torque (now 125Nm @9,000rpm).
And it’s not just the extra 110cc to thank for the increase in power and torque. The whole motor’s been completely redesigned, with a brand new intake and exhaust system, and finger followers that mean better valve control, allowing them to increase the red-line by 650 revs to 11,150rpm. And despite being bigger (in displacement), it’s actually (physically) smaller. Unbelievably, the engine itself is 7kg lighter, too.
And that’s just the engine. The chassis has been put on a serious diet as well, with a frame that’s 17% lighter than the old one. The overall wet weight of the bike is 198kg, a full 10kg lighter than the outgoing model. Not only that, thanks to the new frame, weight distribution is lower down and further forward for better mass centralisation. Triumph reckon that the new chassis gives the Speed better agility with more precise and dynamic handling. I can’t wait to find out.
The old RS wasn’t exactly lacking in the electronics department, but that doesn’t mean the new one hasn’t taken a step forward. There’s a new 5” TFT customisable dash, a slicker ‘shifter and blipper, and the ABS, TC and five riding modes have all been ‘optimised’. Keyless ignition is standard, but at least this time the filler cap is keyless too, so fuelling up is much less of a faff. My Triumph Connectivity is standard too, so you can control your music, GoPro, navigation and phone calls all through the dashboard and the ‘switch cubes’ on the handlebars.
If the specs are anything to go by, the new Speed looks as though it’s going to be more than capable of taking the fight to the Tuono, MT-10, Super Duke, Streetfighter etc. crew. And not just on the road either. With its top-of-the-range Öhlins suspension and Brembo Stylema brakes, you’d have to bet on it being pretty saucy on track, too. It even looks sportier, with that low slung end can, and its cleaner, sleeker lines. Oh, and the 26% increase in power to weight ratio is definitely not to be sniffed at, either.
If you want one, it’ll cost you £15,100, and before you ask, no there isn’t going to be an S or an R version. If you want a Speed Triple, it’s a top-spec 1200 RS or nothing. And according to Triumph, there aren’t any plans to introduce a less bling, more affordable option into the market. The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS will be in dealers from February in Sapphire Black or Matt Silver Ice, and with a bit of luck, on 44T’s YouTube channel not long after.
KTM Super Duke – £15,749
Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory – £17, 199
Ducati Streetfighter V4 – £17,795
Yamaha MT-10 – £12,499
5 Responses
Brilliant review and video again boys been waiting on this one for a while stunning looking bike . Thanks for keeping me entertained with the content as well on this lockdown part 3 ..
Much want for this, I had a 2018 RS which was a beauty in the ride and handling but was feeling it’s age, hopefully this will be my one true love ❤️
looks great (bar the side pipe) priced well, yet to see the PCP deals, but that will be how most are sold. Do think it has a slight Ducati Street fighter look to it, but that’s no bad think, like saying the Mrs looks like Kelly Brooke.
Not so much a comment about the bike (which is stunning by the way), but rather the misguided approach by Triumph research department. They constantly spout how they listen to customer and those customers don’t want this and that. Of course they don’t, they want the bikes you already make. There is no point in asking gramps about litre sportbikes on his way out the dealership with a Bonneville is there? You know who wants a sportbike? The guy over there with the Kwak, or the Gixxer, or the Honda etc. They aren’t your customers because you don’t make the bikes they’re all talking about and waiting for.
Have you considered asking to work at Triumph? With your amazing knowledge of how to sell motorbikes and their total lack of expertise regarding marketing I would expect them to hire you immediately. Especially with the massive demand for litre sports bike and the total lack of buyers of naked bikes.
Either that, or you’re talking nonsense